for people who care about the West

Millions for furniture

Between 1990 and 1992, the Bureau of Land Management
in Oregon spent $5.4 million intended for reforestation on staff
salaries, new furniture and remodeling buildings, a federal audit
reports. Eventually, this misallocation could cost taxpayers up to
$200 million from lost timber harvests. The 21-page report also
found that since 1990 the Oregon BLM has failed to maintain
reforested areas and neglected programs intended to offset logging
cutbacks. BLM officials dispute the audit and say the agency only
misspent $1.9 million. But after reading the report, Rep. Ron
Wyden, D-Ore., urged Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt to
investigate the BLM's operations in Oregon.

The
report, Forestry Operations in Western Oregon, Bureau of Land
Management, (94-I-359) is available from the Office of Inspector
General, 1849 C St. N.W., Room MS 5341, Washington, DC 20240
(202/208-4356).